VIDEO: Dan Walters questions assumptions that the legislative Democrats will overreach with their new supermajority power.
With Thanksgiving just two days away, isn't unusual to see politicians spending some quality time with turkey.
Before they roast, smoke or deep fry their own birds, at least three Sacramento-area legislators are taking part today in the annual tradition of distributing free turkeys to families in need.
The husband-and-wife team of Assemblywoman Beth Gaines and Sen. Ted Gaines are set to give out about 600 turkeys at their neighboring district offices in Roseville starting at 9:30 a.m. today.
Assemblyman Richard Pan, D-Sacramento, will join Elk Grove Mayor-elect Gary Davis and Sacramento City Councilmembers Darrell Fong and Bonnie Pannell will have 300 turkeys to share with families and nonprofits at Sacramento State University at 11 a.m.
The turkeys for both events were provided by Save Mart Supermarkets as part of "Operation Gobble," an annual partnership between water companies and politicians across the state. For those wondering, the value of those donated turkeys do count as behested payments that must be reported to the Fair Political Practices Commission.
TOP TWEETERS: Who are your favorite Capitol types on Twitter? The Bee is compiling a list of stellar tweeters on California's political scene. We want your input. Who do you follow to keep up with the buzz in and around the Capitol? Send your suggestions to tvanoot@sacbee.com.
NEW JOBS: The chief of staff to outgoing Sen. Joseph Simitian, D-Palo Alto, will spend the upcoming session trying to influence bills from outside the Capitol. Cory Jasperson was hired by California Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye to lead the court system's governmental affairs office. The Bay Area News Group's Josh Richmond has more on the hire at this link. Assemblyman Paul Fong, D-Cupertino, announced yesterday that he has hired Sylvia Tang as his new chief of staff. Tang, who ran her own fundraising firm, previously held positions in the offices of Controller John Chiang, Board of Equalization Member Betty T. Yee, Assemblyman Richard Pan, D-Sacramento, former Assemblyman Alberto Torrico, D-Fremont, and multiple state agencies.
CAKE AND CANDLES: Happy birthday to Sen. Leland Yee. The San Francisco Democrat turns 64 today.
The AM Alert will be taking a break for the holiday and will return on Monday. In the meantime, check Capitol Alert for breaking news.
Latest posts:
About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.